Collabs

“When we’re here, when we’re writing, we become a community.”

Academy of St. Martin in the Field @ Gallagher Bluedorn

Alex, 6th grade

The beginning song made me feel like I was in a void of darkness, then I am taken to a land full of nothing but joy and happiness. The next song made me feel as if I were a thief and was about to steal something and I was caught and had to serve time. After that I was free of jail and a had a normal life. Now the next song sounded as if I had a life where I was roaming in the fields and I found a cave with many crystals and I was happy roaming in the caves because I am rich. After that song I felt as if I was just having a good time cooking when out of nowhere the ingredients start falling so I have to catch them. Then I go through life with this type of cooking everyday improving it until it’s perfect.

Rodrigo

Beginning: I feel excited but a little hot. A man is talking and it’s now starting! I think? Two men are walking and now a man is talking...Blah blah blah...The second man is talking Blah blah blah...It’s now starting and five men and one woman sit on chairs in silence. Music yay! People are bobling their heads while playing. I wonder how long this is for the intro...again with the boble! Finally nice and--never mind. Now it’s nice and soft but loud and loud then soft. TOO LOUD! Finally--too soft? It’s going up and down alot. First song done! Second song: spooky and sounds like Up and Harry Potter! AGAIN WITH THE BOBLES. Now it sounds mostly Harry Potter music then Up. Now third song: IT SCARED ME! Now it sounds like Brave. Now Harry...TOO FAST!!! Pluck pluck pluck! I realized a man’s wand [bow] has lost two strings. Fourth song: slow...NOT SCARY! It’s soft and nice and I liked it. Pluck pluck.

Academy of St Martin in the Fields Ensemble

Alex, 6th grade

The beginning song made me feel like I was in a void of darkness, then I am taken to a land full of nothing but joy and happiness. The next song made me feel as if I were a thief and was about to steal something and I was caught and had to serve time. After that I was free of jail and a had a normal life. Now the next song sounded as if I had a life where I was roaming in the fields and I found a cave with many crystals and I was happy roaming in the caves because I am rich. After that song I felt as if I was just having a good time cooking when out of nowhere the ingredients start falling so I have to catch them. Then I go through life with this type of cooking everyday improving it until it’s perfect.

Rodrigo, 5th grade

Beginning: I feel excited but a little hot. A man is talking and it’s now starting! I think? Two men are walking and now a man is talking...Blah blah blah...The second man is talking Blah blah blah...It’s now starting and five men and one woman sit on chairs in silence. Music yay! People are bobbling their heads while playing. I wonder how long this is for the intro...again with the bobble! Finally nice and--never mind. Now it’s nice and soft but loud and loud then soft. TOO LOUD! Finally--too soft? It’s going up and down alot. First song done! Second song: spooky and sounds like Up and Harry Potter! AGAIN WITH THE BOBBLES. Now it sounds mostly Harry Potter music then Up. Now third song: IT SCARED ME! Now it sounds like Brave. Now Harry...TOO FAST!!! Pluck pluck pluck! I realized a man’s wand [bow] has lost two strings. Fourth song: slow...NOT SCARY! It’s soft and nice and I liked it. Pluck pluck.

WWP @ Gallagher Bluedorn - REO Speedwagon Review

Reviewer: Tyler King, 8th grade

When we first arrived there were many people standing in lines for tickets, food, drinks, and REO Speedwagon merchandise stands. When we walked into the pavilion there was a photo booth there with a boom box, guitar, mic, and many wigs. There was also a info stand explaining the history of the last time they were in Cedar Falls and their opener at the time Steely Dan, who backed out due to rain from the day before, with the tickets ranging from 4.50-5.50 dollars.

Some fans said it was their first show, others there 12th or 14th time seeing them live. That just shows how dedicated their fan base is. First timers said they wanna see how the band members have aged. We then asked the people who have seen them multiple times in person the question the first timers asked. The people who have seen them multiple times said “They have aged so good that you can hardly tell that they are all nearing their 70’s.” We also asked the people that have seen them more than once why they came. They said “They sound better in person than on CD” and “It’s nice to see them in a smaller place.” All the people we talked to, either new or multiple timers, were very enthusiastic.

Before the show started we started we stood in line for a meet and greet with the REO Speedwagon members. When we set our notebooks down the singer Kevin Cronin joked “We aren’t gonna do your homework for you girls”. We laughed and took a picture with them. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to interview them.

We went to our seats after meeting the REO Speedwagon group. At the time the opener singer was Michael Tolcher. Michael sounded great with a country tinge to his music. He played an acoustic guitar and had a very high vocal range. He even made jokes while on stage, like about how his friends were saying how he can’t love a girl more than whiskey, and even sang a song about how he loves a girl more than beer.

When REO came on stage many fans screamed or whistled at them. They were very energetic, even till the end, and very lively. They would do guitar solos often. They would interacted with the crowd by having them sing from time to time, giving them drumsticks, and even giving them guitar picks. Kevin Cronin, the lead singer, after every song would do a guitar hero move where they lift the neck of the guitar up and down quickly.

They would switch guitars often. The guitars ranged from tan electric guitar, to black with flame designed bass’s. At one point they even used a white two neck bass guitar. Them switching out the guitars would make it more interesting because you could see how the different guitars changed up the stage and theme.

The pianist Neal Dough would switch from a keyboard sitting on a wooden desk to a black grand piano. The drummer Ryan Hitt’s drums contained of a black kick drum with REO written in red. It also contained of 8-9 cymbals, 3 different types of snare drums, and one another type of small drum.

The lights on the stage changed many different colors. It would change due to solo’s, beat change, and trio’s/duet’s. When the guitarist Dave Amato and singer Neal Cronin did a back to back guitar solo the lights would pulse neon green and orange. Also when the guitarists Dave Amato and Gary Richrath, and singer Neal Cronin all sang together the lights would pulse blues and white. The lights just made it more interesting because your main focus wasn’t just on one thing and it made it more of a show and not something you just watch.

They played a song that their friend George made about how he always fell for girls that wouldn’t fall for him. When the song played the beats of the guitars and drums could rattle you’re ribs. After that song Kevin Cronin moved to the grand piano.There last song of the night was ‘Keep On Loving You’.

There show lasted an hour and fifteen minutes, and it was a sold out show, It was a great time and people said how amazing it is and can’t wait for the next time they get to see them. I thought they did an amazing job, and the entire experience was really fun. I’m glad this was my first concert and if I had a chance to watch them live again, I would.

Gaims

Written and performed by Forte

Video by UNI 3D Art Class

Life In Color

Written and Performed by Dedra, Day, and Rayvon

Video by UNI 3D Art Class

Writer's Block

Written and performed by Rayvon

Video by UNI 3D Art Class

Little Writers, Big Messages

Written and Performed by Denaya, Lariah, and Kenyon

Video by UNI 3D Art Class

Dialogue Circle

Sometimes known as Fire Read, this is a Brave Space of sharing and critique and is commonplace at every workshop.

Writing together

A common gathering place on nice weather days. We think well on the steps of this amazing place.